Jeff Taylor Wrote:
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> You guys should lighten up a bit. I agree with
> James.
> To the RGS, other railroads, and people the 20 was
> just a machine built to haul stuff. To them it was
> insignificant, not worth anything more than her
> scrap value.(like it or not that's the truth) But
> to a small group of people(the some of the men
> that worked with her, the RMRRC, me and others) it
> was something special and worth saving.
>
> You should not be so quick to jump on people(im
> not pointing fingers im speaking in general) just
> because you don't like what they wrote.
> That's why so many members on this forum are
> leaving, or have stoped posting. If you don't like
> what they have to say, respect there opinion and
> move on. I didn't agree with what James said at
> first, mostly because I was not sure what he meant
> but after he explained himself I agree with him.
>
> Let me give you another example of what he is
> talking about. After the San Juan was discontinued
> the D&RGW put the Parlor/buffet cars Chama, and
> Durango up for sale. To them they were just
> another set of cars. Today them mind set might be
> different but back then most often that stuff
> didn't mean diddley.
>
> I love the RGS because it was able to keep limping
> on through all manner of difficulties. I love and
> embrace the fact that the RGS did what they did
> with VERY little money. (At knotts things are not
> that different, we have a tight budget and have to
> do the best we can with what we have.) If you
> don't like my statement remember what the
> motors/geese were built from. Used car parts,
> spare speeder parts, leftover metal,(like tie
> plates) sheet metal, and wood.
> Its fun to me as im rebuilding my 1:20.3 scale
> model of 41 when I can't build or get something
> perfect I can just say well its good enough for
> the RGS.
>
> The 20 is being rebuilt better than it would have
> been on the RGS, or F&CC and better than she needs
> to be to run around the museum loop. But Linn
> isn't so much rebuilding her to run at the museum,
> he's rebuilding her to LAST. And that's what
> matters.
> Linn your doing a fantastic job, keep it up.
>
> Just my 3 or 4 cents.
Jeff,
I suggested James should lighten up. My response was to him saying the RGS was not important. I said that was heresy and he would be voted out of the Otto Mears Fan Club. That was BS and should have been taken as BS.The long explanation of what work had been performed on 20 at the Museum was to counter what I perceived as being said that the 20 had sat outside for decades (no work had been done to it over that period of time) that was a serious post.
It is difficult to realize what a gem the RGS was. Especially if you had not gotten up close and personal with it.
Like John Bush I spent a lot of time in RGS territory. I had a summer place on the west bluff overlooking Trout Lake. Next to Karl Schaeffers'
folks RGS coach 0252 and the old Matterhorn section house. Many years spent hiking and driving the old grades between Rico and Ridgway. I gained a great respect and interest from how and where the RGS operated, and the RGS was built in 1891. At the CRRM I was involved in restoration & upkeep of RGS 20, bringing Geese 2,6,& 7 back to operating condition and even operating No.2 from Durango to Silverton and back in 2000 and 2001. Helped do a total restoration on RGS business car RIco. This gives the RGS top billing in my estimation. It was stated the RGS was not the NYC. It sure wasn't. The NYC was a great railroad, but it pales in comparison to the RGS. The total improbability of the railroad, where it ran, how it survived for 60 years and the scenery alone makes it stand out.
I do respect other peoples opinions, but that doesn't mean I can't comment (not jumping) on their opinions. After all, this is the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum. This was a serious post. I'll try to put more BS in my next post.
Bill
